Building construction



I Nov. 22, 1938. D s. BETCONE BUILDING CONSTRUCTION Filed Dec. 17, 193'? 5 $h'eets5heet l Nov. 22, 1938. D. s. BETCONE 2,137,767

BUILDING CONSTRUCTION F iled De o. 17, 1937 5 Sheets-$heet 2 Nov. 22, 1938. D. s. BETCONE BUILDING CONSTRUCTION Filed Dec. 17, 1937 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Nov. 22, 1938. D. s. BETCONE BUILDING CONSTRUCTION Filed Dec'. 17, 1957 5 t e e h s S t. e e h. s 5

HHHHI x 2 7 E 7 FVM 1i 2 2 Q a a w Patented Nov. 22,

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE BUILDING cons'rnucrron David S. Betcone, Middletown, Ohio Application December 17, 1937; Serial No. 180,468

26 claims,

This invention relates to building construction,

and one object of this invention is to provide a system of building construction in which the -walls are built of preformed sectional units the wall sections or units being assembled on the building site with'a minimum of labor in the erection process.

Another object is to provide, in a structure so erected, Walls which will be impervious to moisture, of low heat conductivity, and free from objectlonable condensationv of moistureeither on wall surfaces or within the interior wall spaces.

A further object is to provide a method and means for erecting buildings differing radically from those'in common use. Assuming for the sake of illustration that a single story residence is to be built, the materials are fabricated in ad- Vance and partially'assembled into units so as to permit erection substantially as follows, though departures from this order may be made in special instances where advisable. A foundation for the house is first prepared, preferably of masonry, providing a base for all of the outside walls and for such inside flooring as may be desired. To this base are secured metal sill units in the form of angles defining the precise location of the outer walls, and providing connecting means for the wall sections Upon these sill units are erected and secured the outer wall units,

30 which units provide both inside and outside wall surfaces,s aid wall units being ofappreciablewidth and of story height. Adjoining wall units are secured together, successively as placed, by vertical locking members which occupy recesses in the 35 vertical edges of adjoining units. Preferably, the erection of wall units is begun at a corner of the building, special corner sections or units being provided. After the outer wall units are erected, and the floor placed, interior wall sections or they are very'readily connected together in the field. The manner in which the various parts are constructed, in certain preferred arrangements, is, such as to leave no exposed bolts or other connections on either outside or inside wall surfaces, and'after the wall is erected, the vertical joints between panels are filled by caulking or units are erected and connected together in a manner similar to that employed for outer walls.

' members, whereby an ordinary wall or building wall may be rapidly constructed by first setting thebase members in desired contour or plan in 15 a foundation of masonry, concrete, or the like, and then setting the wall and corner units in position upon the base units, with intermediate locking members between the units for locking adjacent units together, the wall and corner units and the locking members each having interengaging locking elements thereon whereby the simple operation of forcing the locking members down between the units will securely lock the units together in erected position without the use of screws, bolts, welding, and battens; the locking members constituting blind post connections for the walls so that the only finishing treatment needed will be to caulk the vertical joints between the units.

A still further object of the invention is to provide prefabricated wall and corner units-and locking members of wall or building story height, the wall units being of substantial width. and consisting of a pair of panels connected together by metal channels or the like inset from the sides of the units to provide recesses between the channels of adjacent units adapted to receive the locking'members, the locking members consisting of metal tubes, plates or studs of substantially rec- 4Q tangular cross-section carrying on opposite side ,faces spaced series of connector elements which cooperate with spaced series of connector; elements mounted on the exterior faces of the channels of the wall units, whereby in erecting the wall the first wall unit mayv be placed on the previously set base and aligned in correct plumb position with its lower end connected to the base in any desired manner, and a locking stud then placed in the side recess of the placed wall unit and held suspended above locking position by means of a temporary dowel pin or the like, and then setting in place on the base the next adjacent wall unit or corner unit so that they locking member enters the recess in its side, and finally removing the dowel pin and pounding the locking member downwardly in the recesses formed in the sides of the adjacent units thereby locking the connector elements together.

Another object of the invention is to provide novel wall units consisting of factory fabricated panels secured together by metallic channel's, said panels comprising either outside or inside wall panels, or in the case of partitions comprising the inside wall panels, or in the case of ordinary walls comprising appropriate panels for such construction, said panels preferably having rigid metal clad insulation covering both the inside and outside of the panels so applied that the exposed faces or surfaces will not be defaced by screws, bolts or welding, said insulation acting not only as a sound deadener but also as a stiffener for the panels and channels, the construction providing for a definite break when the wall is erected between themetal insulation on adjacent panels so that the same will not come into contact, and the metal insulation being so arranged on each panel that conductivity of heat through the individual units is prevented, thereby keeping all inside wall surfaces at the same temperature.

A further object of the invention is to provide novel prefabricated base members upon which the wall and corner units are mounted and connected in a novel manner, said base members being simple in construction and adapted to be readily set in concrete, masonry; or other foundation material.

A still further object of the invention is to provide novel prefabricated corner units for the wall comprising exterior panels of width approximately equal to the cross-sectional width of the wall units and arranged at right angles to each other, said panels consisting of metal clad insulation of same general type as used in the wall units, and said panels being secured together by metal sheets of L-shaped cross-section forming with the panels a box-like structure, the metal sheets being provided with series of connecting elements on their faces adapted to engage the connecting elements on the locking members in the same manner as the connecting elements on the wall units engage therewith, said corner units being also provided with means at their lower ends for connection with the base units.

Other minor objects of the invention will be hereinafter set forth.'

i will explain the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings which illustrate several practical embodiments thereof to enable others familiar with the art to adopt and use the same; and will summarize in the claims, the

novel features of construction, and novel combinations of parts, for which protection is desired.

In said drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of one formof prefabricated wall unit,- detached, showing the spaced panels provided with metal clad insulation, and showing the panels connected together by metal channels inset from the sides of the unit and carrying the series of male connector elements.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of one of the tubular locking members, detached, showing the series of female connector elements which are adapted to engaged the male elements of the wall units.

Fig. 3 is a perspective sectional view showing the application of the locking members to adjacent wall units for locking the units together in vertical alignment.

ammo-7 Fig. 4 is a perspective sectional view similar to Fig. 3 showing a modified form of male and female connector elements on the locking members and wall units.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged horizontal section through the joint of a wall formed of the units and locking members shown in Figs. 1-3 inclusive.

Fig. 5A is a perspective detail view.

Fig. 5B is a perspective view of the complete frame of the wall unit, with the wall panels detached.

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 5 in which a slightly modified form of wall unit is used.

Fig. 7 is a view similar toFig. 6 showing a. still further modified form of wall unit.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the side of the section shown in Fig. 7 showing the general spacing of the clips.

Fig. 9 is a horizontal section through the joint between adjacent partition panels, showing the locking member connecting adjacent sections together; also showing the means for securing the ends of the partitions to the faces of intersecting partitions.

Fig. 10 is a perspective view similar to Fig. 1, showing a part of a partition wall unit illustrated in Fig. 9. I

Fig. 11 is a perspective view of a part of a locking member for the partition units.

Fig. 12'is a vertical section illustrating the means for connecting the partition units to a floor.

a Fig. 13 is a vertical section through a wall unit in perspective, illustrating the base member anchored in foundation material, and the wall unit mounted thereon.

Fig. 14 is a fragmentary perspective View of the inverted base channel of the wall units shown in Fig. 13.

Fig. 15 is a fragmentary perspective View oi the base plate shown in Fig. 13.

Fig. 16 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating the application of the T-bolts which connect the inverted base channels of the wall units to the base plate shown in Fig. 13.

Fig. 17 is a perspective view of a portion of a corner unit of the wall.

Fig. 18 is a. horizontal section through a corner of the wall assembly.

Fig. 19 is a vertical section showing the means for connecting the wall units to the base plate of the wall.

Fig. 20 is a horizontal section similar to Fig. '7 showing a still further modified form oi. connection between the locking members and wall units.

Fig. 21 is a vertical section on the line Zl-Zl, Fig. 20.

As shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3, and 5 my novel wall unit, which is preferably prefabricated at the factory, comprises a pair of spaced panels i of suitable structural material of substantial thickness. said material being preferably of metal, rock lath, plywood, knotty pine, tile, plastic composition, wood, ilbre, or other structural material possessing requisite strength, said'panels i being of suflicient height to extend the full height of the wall or building to take care of both modern and conventional walls or buildings, and being of substantial width. Panels I are connected together adjacent their sides by members 2, preferably channels of light steel having their legs turned inwardly andv their bases inset from'the side edges of the panels to provide recesses between-the channels of adjacent units. In the 1. lower end of each wall section is an inverted the like.

.members 2 are welded or otherwise secured to the tops of channels I5, as shown, and in the tops of channels I are holes I53: for ventilation purposes. Preferably the top ends of the members 2 are likewise connected by plates 2p (Fig. 5B)

welded or otherwise secured thereto, said plates being likewise provided with vent holes 2q, the members 2, I5, and 2p forming a rigid hollow frame with vent holes to permit air circulation therethrough.

On the facing surfaces of insulation panels I metalsheets 3 are applied, which sheets preferably cover the'entire outer faces of the panels and have their ends flanged as at 3a around the two sides and bottom, or two sides, top and bottom of the panelsJ, and further flanged as at 3b over the edges of the inner faces of the panels, thereby leaving the main portion of the inner faces of the panels uncovered so as to break metal-to-metal contact with the channel frames and prevent conductivity. Preferably the sheets 3 are attached to-the panels I by glue or adhe-- As shown in Figs. 5 and 5A, the legs of channels 2 are connected to the panels I by means of studs 4 which are anchored in the panels and have their outer ends secured to the legs of the channels forming blind connections securely looking the panels to the channels without marring the covering sheets 3 on the exterior surfaces of the panels with bolts, screws, welding marks, or

The panels are formed as follows:-- The panels I are cut to the proper shape and drilled with holes In (Fig. 5) to receive the studs l, said holes having recesses I f at the outer faces of the panels I to receive the flat heads la'of the studs. so that the shanks project beyond the inner faces of the panels, and the outer surfaces of the panels I are then covered with glue or mastic, and the panels then slipped into the preformed sheeting 3 from the open upper end of the sheeting, and passed sufficiently downwardly therein to engage the flange 3a (Fig. 13) at the bottom of the sheeting, there being no flanges 3a3b formed at the top of the sheeting. The panel I will then be held pressed tightly against the sheeting 3 until the glue or mastic hardens. The flat. heads lb are then formed on the inner ends of the studs l, and spaced from the inner faces of the panels I a distance substantially equal to the thickness of the legs of the channels 2; and the panels are then secured to the frames of the units which frames (Fig. 5B) are preferably closed at their tops and bottoms by plates 2p and channels I5. In order that the inner hea'ds 4b of the studs may be engaged with the legs of channels 2, it

27, while the heads 40 engage the channel legs,

as shown in Fig, 5A, thus forming a wall unit comprising spaced shells 31of sheet metal, in which are fitted stiffening insulation panels I,

The'studs are then inserted in said holes.

said shells and panels being" assembled upon a hollow frame (2, 2p, I5) disposed between the panels, and said frame having vent holes in its top and bottom members to permit sumcient circulation of air between the panels to prevent undue condensation of moisture.

On the exterior. faces of the channels are a series of spaced wedge-shaped male connector elements 5 adapted to engage corresponding female connector elements 6 on-locking members, hereinafter explained, said male connector elements 5 having their narrow ends disposed uppermost and having their sides undercut as shown in Figs. 1 and 3, while the female locking elements as shown in Figs. 2 and 3 have wedgeshaped recesses 6a in their lower ends conforming with the shape ofthe male elements 5, the sides .of the recesses being also beveled to suit the undercutting of the sides of the male members. The spacing of the female elements 6 corresponds with the spacing of the'male ele-.

ments .5, and any desirednumber of elements may be used in said series.

Preferably each locking member I comprises a length of light steel tubing or studding having a rectangular cross-section adapted to extend substantially the height of the 'wall panels, said locking members being prefabricated and carrying on opposite faces the female connector elements 6, above described, so that when the look ing members are driven down through the recesses between channels 2 of adjacent units, as illustrated in Fig. 3, the female connector elements 6 will engage the male connector elements 5 thereby simultaneously drawing the units thereto and lockingthe units together.

Preferably locking members i are of substantial width but do not extend to meet the inner faces of the panels I so that when adjacent units are connected together, as indicated in Figs. 5, 6

and '7, there will be a definite gap between the male looking elements on: looking member lac,

offset tongues 6y are struck out of the material of member 'Ijzc', between three-sided slits formed in the tube, the tongues by being adapted to engage correspondingly shaped offset straps 5y (instead of male elements 5) which are struck out of the material of the channels 23:, between parallel slits, the sides of the straps 5y being beveled as shown to present a wedging action as the tongues ty enter between the straps and "the faces of the channels when the locking member la: is pounded downwardly within the recesses formed between the channels 23: of adjacent units.

Fig. 6 shows a modified form of wall unit in which the anchor studs for the metal clad insu lation 3 do not pass through the legs of channels 2. Studs 43: are provided, similar to studs 4 of Fig. 5, but same pass through clips or angle irons 2c securedto the exterior faces. of the bases of channels 2 adjacent the side edges thereof, the construction however presenting the same insulating effect as the structure shown in Fig. 5. g The units are otherwise similar to that shown in Fig. 5. In assembling the studs 4x, holes. could be punched in the clips- 20 and the studs 4:: inserted through these holes, riveting the heads of the studs against the clips after insertion. On the other hand, it would be possible to make a connection at this point similar to that described in connection with Figs. '5A, and to I rivet or weld the clips 20 to the channels 2 before attaching the panels.

Figs. 7 and 8 show a still further modified form of wall unit in which the anchor studs for the metal clad insulation 3 are omitted entirely and the insulation 3 is attached to the channels 2:: by series of spaced angle clips I! welded or otherwise secured to the channels 2:: and to the flanged portions 3b, this method being relatively less expensive. As the clips i i are spaced about two feet apart any conductivity of heatthrough the clips will be negligible. As shownthe channels 2:: (Figs. 7-8) are provided with struck-out straps 51/ (Fig. 4) to receive the tongues 81! struck out of the locking members ix.

The wall units are preferably mounted upon prefabricated base members shown in Figs. 13,

15, 16, 18 and 19, consisting of base plates il each'having a vertical flange iiaprovided with a plurality of series of elongated slots lib for receiving the T-heads Illa (Fig. 16) of bolts 16, hereinafter described. The opposite edge of each plate ll may be flanged outwardly and downwardly as at Mo to shed moisture and to conform with the face of foundation l2, each base plate i being mounted in the concrete or other foundation material, same being preferably secured thereto by a series of bolts ll or the like (Figs. l3, l8 and 19) anchored in blocks or expanding members Ila. A sheet I of waterprooflngmaterial such as felt or the-like may be interposed between the base plates ii and foundation is.

In the bottom of each wall section is an inverted base channel I! (Figs. 13, 14; and '19) secured therein in any desired manner, each channel i5 having one leg iia adapted to be dis'-' posed adjacent flange lie of base plate ii, and said leg being likewise provided with a plurality of series of elongated slots lib corresponding with and adapted to register with the slots i lb in base plate ii. As shown in detail in Fig.

316, members Na and lie are secured together by T-bolts i8 whose T-shaped heads "a in one position may be passed through the registering slots iib, lib and the bolt rotated 90', whereupon nut lCb may be applied to the bolt i6, and thus the parts may be readily secured together without havingito obtain access to the interior of the'inverted channel member ii. The wall unit panel at the slotted side Ilia of the channel I! preferably terminates at its lower end sufficiently to clear the bolts i6. v

Figs. 9, 10, 11 and 12 show a further modified wall unit for use particularly in forming interior partition walls where prevention of heat conductivity through the walls is not important. In this modification the metal clad insulation 3 of the panels I is provided with side flanges 3a and 3b as in the preceding figures, but the channels 2:: (Fig. 4) are set nearer the sides of the sections so that the flanges 3b of the metal clad insulation overlap the legs of the channels 2.1: and are secured thereto by welding. Instead of using a'hollow locking member or Ix, the locking member may comprise a flat strip i8 carry-' ing the tongues 611 (Fig. 4) struck out of the metal thereof for engaging the straps 51: carried by the channels It, the strips I! being used in the same manner as members I and It. The

partition units may be attached to intersecting walls W (Fig. 9) by means of angles or clips is secured thereto and to the wall W in any desired manner. In the lower end of each partition unit is an inverted channel member 28 (Fig. 12), which is also preferably provided with vent holes similar to holes I52: in channels IS in Fig. 5B. The channel connects the lower ends of side channels 20:; and a plate provided with vent holes similarlyto plate 2p (Fig. 5B) connects the upper ends of channels 2.7:. The outer ends of the legs of the channel are flanged outwardly as at 200. to underlie the bottom of the panels i and to extend sufficiently beyond the faces of the panels to permit insertion of nails or screws to fasten same to the flooring F, which flooring F, as shown in Fig. 19, is mounted upon stringers S and disposed above the lower ends of the inner exterior wall panels I so as to hide the bolts i6. Fig. 19 shows that the floor F within the house is disposed above the bottoms of the outside panels, and there is a space beneath the inside panels i for the attachment of the wall units to the base I i by means of the bolts i6 before the stringers are laid for the floor F and thus before the floor is placed. This. method of fastening requires that the outsidewall units should be erected first, then the stringers S and floor F be laid with care, and after that the partitions should be set as in Fig. 12.

Figs. 17 and 18 illustrate the construction of the corner units of the wall assembly. This unit as shown preferably comprises a pair of panels 2|, similar to panels I, but disposed at right angles to each other to form an L-shaped structure,

an angle iron 22 being applied to the heel if desired for the purpose of reinforcing same; and metal clad insulation 23 is applied to the exterior faces of the panels and flanged around the ends as at 23a and 23b in the same manner as flanges 3a, 3b of insulation 3. An L-shaped sheet 24 having flanged ends 24a forms with the panels II a box-like structure, the flanges 24a being welded or secured to the flanges 23b of the metal clad insulation as shown in Figs. 1718. The lower end of the sheet 24 is boxed in by a plate 25 disposed above the tops of flanges Ila of the base plate ii, said plate having vent holes 25a (Fig. 18) therein. A similar vented plate may close the upper end of the box formed by sheet 24. Panels 2i are of width substantially equal to the cross-sectional width of the wall units so that when applied as shown in Fig. 18 to the base ii the inner panels of the adjacent wall units will substantially contact while the panels 2i will complete the exterior walls. The base plate ii at the corner is mitred as at i la: (Fig. 18) and preferably the anchor bolts I! of the base plate extend upwardly througlr'the bottom plate 25 of the corner unit to hold the latter down upon the base plate Ii.

The faces of sheet, 24 are provided like channels 21:, with spaced series of straps Hg (or I connecting elements as in Figs. L3) to receive the tongues 61/ on the locking members 13: so that both the wall units and corner units are locked together by the locking members i or 12:. The open joint between the inner panels i at the corner may be covered in any desired manner.

Figs. 20 and 21 illustrate a still further modified form of connectionbetween the wall units and studs shownin Figs. 3 and 4. In place of the tongues 61 (Fig. 4) formed integrally with the locking members (which tongues may be subject to bending) I provide spaced series of relatively posed slots is in the locking members Ia: and welded or otherwise secured to the members 11:

as at 3| (Fig. 20), the ends of the cleats 30 pro-.

jecting beyond the faces of the locking members. Preferably the lower edge of each cleat 30 is recessed as at 32 to embrace the opposed walls of the locking member as shown in Fig. 21 and assist in maintaining the cleats centered in the locking members. Extending upwardly from the lower edges of .the projecting ends 30a of the cleat are slots 30b spaced from the faces of the locking member la: a distance equal to the spacing of the channels 21: of the wall units therefrom, the lower outer sides of the slots 30b being rounded outwardly asat 300 to facilitate engagement of the cleats with the openings in the channels 23:. In the channels 21' are spaced axially disposed series of slots 22 of width slightly greater than thatof cleats 30, and of length somewhat more than the height of the outer ends 30a. of the cleats, so that the same may readily enter slots 2zwhen the locking members are sufliciently raised. When the locking members are subsequently driven downwardly, the slots 3% will receive the web of the channels 2a: as indicated in Fig. 21 securely locking the wall units to the locking members, the cleats 30 being of sufllcient thickness to resist bending stresses.

The upper ends of the wall and corner units may be finished with any appropriate coping or roofing if in a buildingstructure' I have omitted from the drawings, for the-sake of simplicity, any showing of ceiling and roof or coping construction, as well as the placing of doors and I windows; but it is to be understood that wall sections may be made to provide for doors and windows, as well as to support other members not herein described, for ceiling and roof construction.

The above construction provides prefabricated factory finished wall and corner units which may be rapidly assembled to form a wall structure without use of screws, bolts, or welding, said units being assembled with looking members in the form of blind posts, so that the only finishing treatment needed for the erected wall structure will be caulking at the vertical joints shown at 9 in Figs. 5, 6, 7, 9, 13 and 20 filling the gaps between the panels of adjacent wall or corner units. In order tofurther waterproof the joints insulation l may be'applied between the faces of the locking members I and lar, and the inner faces of panels I and 2!, same bridging the gaps between all adjacent wall unit panels. My construction therefore-lends itself readily to making the wall air-tight by caulking the joints or otherwise filling them on both the inside and outside after the walls are erected, th"s feature being very impbrtant.

To assemble a wall, the base plates II are first anchored by bolts I3 in desired plan or contour in foundation material l2, and the first wall or corner unit is then mounted to the base plates and held in correct plumb position. A locking member I or la: is then set in the recess at one side of the wall or corner unit and is initially held sufficiently above its final locking position so that the locking elements formed on or attached thereto will lie directly above the cooperating locking elements formed on or "attached to'the channels 2, 2.1:, or 24. The next adjacent wall unit is then set upon the base plate beside the first unit, and when the two units have been squared to position, the temporary pin is removed and the locking member I or la: is driven down to final locking position so as to interengage the locking each .comprising spaced wall panels forming the opposite wall faces connected together; a plurality of separate prefabricated locking members positioned within the spaced panels between adjacent wall units; and locking elements prear ranged on the units and members adapted to interlock when the members are positioned.

2. In a wall assembly as set forth in claim I, each unit having structural members between the panels inset from the sides thereof to form recesses; and said locking members comprising blind posts adapted to fit withinthe recesses formed at the sides of adjacent units.

3. In a wall assembly, a prefabricated base, a plurality of prefabricated wall units arranged side by side on the base, each unit comprising spaced panels forming the opposite wall faces connected together, means for securing the lower ends of said wall units to the said base; and means for locking the adjacent panels together.

4. In a wall assembly as set forth in claim 3, said base comprising plate members adapted to be secured to a foundation, each having an upstanding flange provided with spaced series of slots; inverted channel membersin the lower ends of the wall units adapted to seat upon the plate members, each channel member having one leg provided with series of slots adapted to register with those of the plate members; and members connecting the slotted members through the registering slots.

5. In a wall assembly as set forth in claim 3,

said base comprising plate members adapted to be secured-to a foundation, each .having an upstanding flange provided with spaced series of slots; inverted channel members in the lower ends of the wall units adapted to seat upon the plate members, each channel member having one leg provided with series of slots adapted to register with those of the plate members; and bolts com I necting the slotted members, said bolts having heads adapted to be inserted from the side of the base through the registering slots.

6.' A prefabricatedwall unit comprising spaced wall panels adapted to form the opposite wall faces connected together; metal insulation covering the exposed facesand the edges of the panels, and means for connecting the insulation to the panels to prevent conductivity from one panel to the other of the unit.

7. In awall unit as set forth in claim 6, metallic structural members between the panels adjacent the sides of the units; and means for connecting the panels to the channels whereby conductivity of theinsulation from one panel to the other of the unit isprevented.

8. In a wall assembly, prefabricated units, prefabricated plate members adapted to be secured to a foundation each having an upstanding flange provided with spaced series of slots; inverted channel members in the lower ends of the wall 10. In a wall assembly as set forth in claim 29,

each unit having recesses in its side edges, and said locking members comprising blind posts adapted to fit within the recesses formed at the sides of adjacent units.

11. In combination with a wall assembly as set forth in claim 9, corner units at the corners of the wall having locking elements pre-arranged on its face adapted to interlock with those on the locking members when the members are in position, the width of the exterior faces of the corner units being substantially equal to the cross-sectional thickness of the wall units.

12. In a wall assembly as set forth in claim 9,

.corner units at the corners of the 'wall, each comprising panels connected together in angular relation forming exterior wall faces; plate members inset from the outer edges of the panels to form recesses for receiving the locking members, and locking elements pre-arranged on the plates adapted to interlock with those on the locking members when the latter are in position.

13. A corner unit for a wall assembly comprising a pair of panels connected together in angular relation to form exterior wall faces, plate members adjacent the outer ends of the panels; and

series of locking elements pre-arranged on the plates.

14. A corner unit for a wall assembly comprising a pair of panels connected together in angular relation to form exterior wall faces, interconnected plate members disposed parallel with the said panels and inset from the outer edges thereof to form with the panels 'a box-like structure; and series of locking elements pre-arranged on the plates, v

15. In a wall assembly a plurality of prefabricated wall units arranged side by side, each unit having recesses in its side edges; prefabricated locking members within the recesses formed between adjacent units; and locking elements comprising seriesof male and female elements on the sides of the units and on-the locking members adapted to interlock when the locking members are forced downwardly between the units.

18. In an assembly as set forth in claim 15, said elements being wedge-shaped with undera cut engaging surfaces.

17. Iran assembly as set forth in claim 15, said elements comprising tongues and straps struck out of the material of the units and locking members.

18. In a wall assembly as set forth in claim 15,

' said elements comprising cleats extending from the faces of the locking elements adapted to enter openings in the sides of the units, said cleats having open slots in their lower edges adapted to embrace the material of the units below the .openings when the locking members are forced downwardly.

19. In a wall assembly as set forth in claim 15, said elements comprising cleats fixedly mounted in and extending through the locking members and adapted to enter openings in the sides of the units, said cleats having open slots in their lower edges adapted to embrace the material of the sides of the units below the openings when the locking members are forced downwardly.

20. A wall unit comprising a hollow prefabricated rigid frame; prefabricated insulating panels at opposite facesof the frame; prefabricated metal sheets covering the exposed faces of the panels; and means for connecting the panels to the frame,

21. In a wall unit as set forth in claim 20, said frame comprising side channels; a plate connecting the upper ends of the side channels; and an inverted channel connecting the lower ends of the side channels; said 'plate and inverted channel having vent holes therein.

22. In a wall unit as set forth in claim 20, said frame having series of slots in its side faces; and said means comprising series of studs anchored in the panels and extending through the inner faces thereof and having heads on their outer ends spaced from the panels, said heads being adapted in one position to enter the slots.

23. In a wall unit as set forth in claim 20, said frame having series of slots in its side faces; and said means comprising series of studs anchored in the panels and extending through the inner faces thereof and having heads on their outer ends spaced from the panels; said heads being adapted in one position to enter the slots; and

' said metal sheets being flanged around the edges of the panels and spaced from the frame whereby conductivity from one panel to the other of the unit is prevented.

24. In a wall unit as set forth in claim 20, said metal sheets being flanged around the edges and inner faces of the panels; and said means comprising spaced series of clips connecting the frame with the flanges on the inner faces of the panels.

25. In a wall unit as set forth in claim 20, series of clips on the sides of the frame; and said means comprising series of studs anchored in the panels and extending through the inner faces of the panels and secured to the clips.

'26. In a wall unit as set forth in claim 20, series of clips on the sides of the frame; and said means comprising series of studs anchored in the panels and extending through the inner faces of the panels and secured to the clips, and said metal sheets being flanged around the edges of the. panels and spaced from the frame whereby conductivity from one panel to theother of the unit is prevented.

DAVE) B. IBE'I'CONE. 

